Ohhh I love couscous and I make it in all kinds of ways. My all time favourite is my mum’s (and grandma’s) traditional Fish Couscous, but I also make the pre cooked version and serve it as a side dish. And then there is leftover plain couscous. Which is like a white canvas that can be turned into an improvised masterpiece. This recipe came about just like that. I had made couscous to go with my Lemon Chicken Tajine with Olives and had some left over, so I emptied my fridge and paired the ingredients that I thought would work well together to create a tasty salad for the next day’s lunch. And it worked so well, that I thought I should share it with all of you! Oranges and olives are a common Sicilian combination for salads and they tasted great with the mint and red onion! I hope you like it too! Enjoy!
Couscous, Olive and Orange Salad
A great and tasty way to use leftovers: Couscous, Olive and Orange Salad!
Ingredients
Couscous Salad
- 250 gms – 8.8 oz. couscous cooked per package directions and cooled
- 2 tbsp mint leaves roughly chopped
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 16 pitted black olives I used Kalamata
- 2 oranges
Vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
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Prepare the couscous following the package instructions and keep it aside to cool down.
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Now prepare the vinaigrette. Put the honey, extra virgin olive oil, orange and lemon juice and salt in a small mason jar. Close the mason jar tightly with the lid and shake until well combined.
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Peel and segment the oranges by slicing off the two ends of the oranges and then the sides. Do this with a knife. Make sure you remove all the white parts. Now cut out the segments by slicing them off from both sides of the membranes, as shown in the pictures. Keep aside.
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Dress the cooled couscous with the vinaigrette.
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Serve cold or at room temperature.
Pinned this, love this flavor combination and it is a perfect winter side dish. And my kids love anything involving couscous and olives.
I really like recipes that utilize leftovers or whatever is around. I’m a real olive fan and especially like Kalamata Olives, but have never had them combined with orange. Yet another great dish for my “to-cook” list. Thanks for sharing.
What a simple but delicious North African style recipe: do like your citrussy dressing 🙂 !
I so much more than like this recipe. I love the combination of ingredients and can’t wait to try it!
My kinda side dish or a salad, Manu. Such a comforting dish. I love the orange and olive combination. We are yet to see good citrus in the market but season is approaching.